Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (5354) Practice Tests
Adaptive practice questions aligned to the official Praxis blueprint. Track mastery domain-by-domain and know exactly where to focus before test day.
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1 / 10Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (5354): Test at a Glance
Facts as published by the official test program.
The Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications test (5354) is one of the Praxis assessments from ETS, which many states and educator preparation programs use for licensure.
For people who plan to teach in special education at any level from preschool through grade 12. Questions may address disabilities of any degree.
Passing scores are set by each state or agency that requires the test, so confirm the score you need with your state or program before you register.
Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (5354): Exam Blueprint
Content categories and approximate weighting from the official test framework.
1. Development and Characteristics of Learners
16% · 20 questions2. Planning and the Learning Environment
23% · 27 questions3. Instruction
23% · 27 questions4. Assessment
18% · 22 questions5. Foundations and Professional Responsibilities
20% · 24 questionsStudy Guide by Category
Use this section to plan your study time. Each topic comes from the official content categories for Praxis Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (5354).
Category I · Development and Characteristics of Learners
20 questions · 16%- Human development and behavior Typical and atypical development, and how it shows up in learning and behavior.
- Theories of learning and motivation Theoretical approaches to how students learn and what motivates them.
- Disability categories Basic characteristics and defining factors for each of the major disability categories, including co-occurring conditions.
- Impact across the life span How disabilities affect individuals, families and society, and how language, cultural and gender differences affect the identification process.
- Family and environment How family systems and environmental and societal influences contribute to development and achievement.
Category II · Planning and the Learning Environment
27 questions · 23%- Lesson planning Characteristics and basic elements of good lesson plans, and learning objectives that are measurable and appropriately challenging.
- Access to the curriculum Means of providing students access to the curriculum.
- Learning environment and behavior Organizing the learning environment, managing student behavior and designing a safe, supportive classroom that promotes achievement.
Category III · Instruction
27 questions · 23%- Age- and ability-appropriate strategies Instructional techniques suited to students' ages and abilities, in one-to-one, small-group and large-group settings.
- Maintenance and generalization Strategies that help students keep and transfer concepts.
- Interventions and curriculum Selecting and implementing research-based interventions, and supplementary or functional curriculum.
- Assistive technology and transition Options for assistive technology and strategies that support transition goals.
- Prevention Preventive and intervention strategies for at-risk learners.
Category IV · Assessment
22 questions · 18%- Choosing and using assessments Evidence-based assessments that are effective and appropriate, how to define and use various assessments, and how to interpret and use the results.
Category V · Foundations and Professional Responsibilities
24 questions · 20%- Federal definitions, referral and safeguards Federal definitions, requirements for pre-referral, referral and identification, and safeguards of stakeholders' rights.
- The IEP and major legislation Components of a legally defensible individualized education program, and major legislation.
- Roles and collaboration Roles of the special education teacher and other professionals, the strengths and limits of collaborative approaches, communication with stakeholders, and potential bias that can affect teaching and interactions with families.
Registration, Test Day and Scoring
- Retake wait
- At least 28 days between attempts
- Refund requests
- Must reach ETS 3+ days before the test
- Arrival at a test center
- 30 minutes before your appointment
How to Register
- 1Confirm what your state requires
Required tests and passing scores vary by state and program. Check yours before you pay, because the score you need decides how much preparation is enough.
- 2Create your Praxis account
Register at praxis.ets.org. Enter your first and last name exactly as they appear on the ID you will bring, with no nicknames or abbreviations.
- 3Pick your test, date and location
Choose a test center or, for tests that offer it, an at-home appointment. Tests are scheduled by appointment and not every test is offered year round, so look at dates early.
- 4Choose your score recipients
Up to four recipients are free at registration. If you add your college or university, list it as a recipient or it will not receive your report. You can add or change recipients up to 3 days before your test date.
Fees
$130. This is a selected-response test, which carries the base Praxis fee. ETS may offer fee waivers to eligible test takers, so check its fees and waivers page before you pay. A refund request must reach ETS at least 3 days before your test date. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount when you register.
Test day
At a test center, report at least 30 minutes before your appointment. If you arrive after your scheduled testing time you will not be allowed to test and you forfeit your fee.
Bring valid, acceptable ID. The first and last name on your registration must exactly match your ID, so fix any mismatch before test day.
At home, no mobile devices, notes, textbooks, recording devices or headsets are allowed. Screen-sharing and remote-access software must be turned off for the whole test, and you may only communicate with the proctor. Breaking these rules can cancel your test without a refund.
Most tests have no scheduled break, but at home you may take a short unscheduled break.
Live test content is confidential. Do not discuss or share questions online, in study groups or in classrooms.
Scoring
Passing scores are set by each state or agency, not by ETS. ETS publishes the required scores by state on its passing scores page.
Official score reporting dates vary by test. When your scores are ready you get an email, and the report stays in your online account for ten years. Download a copy for your records.
Some tests show an unofficial score at the end of the session. Before you see it, the computer lets you report or cancel the score. Once you have viewed it, it cannot be canceled, and a canceled score is not refunded or reinstated.
Four score recipients are free. Sending reports to additional institutions or agencies costs extra.
Who Takes the Praxis Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (5354)?
Teacher candidates seeking licensure. ETS describes this test for people who plan to teach in a special education program at any level from preschool through grade 12. Questions may address disabilities of any degree, mild to profound.
Candidates whose state or program requires it. Not every state requires test 5354, so confirm with your state or program before you register.
How to Prepare for Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (5354)
- 1Start with the free Study Companion
ETS publishes a free Study Companion for test 5354. It lists every content topic and includes sample questions with explanations. Read it first and note the topics you cannot yet explain.
- 2Study by category weight
Give the most time to Planning and the Learning Environment (about 23%), but cover every category.
- 3Learn the legal framework cold
IDEA, the IEP components, referral and identification steps and procedural safeguards show up across several categories. Make a one-page map of the process.
- 4Practice applying, not just recalling
Questions describe realistic situations. For each topic, ask what you would actually do for a student in that setting.
- 5Leave room for a retake
You must wait at least 28 days between attempts, so book your first attempt early enough that a second one still fits your licensing deadline.
Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (5354): Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications test cover?+
For people who plan to teach in special education at any level from preschool through grade 12. Questions may address disabilities of any degree.
What is the passing score for Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications?+
There is no single national passing score. Each state or agency that requires the test sets its own, and ETS lists them by state on its Praxis passing scores page.
How much does the Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications test cost?+
$130. Fees can change and fee waivers may be available, so confirm on the official Praxis site.
How soon can I retake a Praxis test?+
At least 28 days after the previous attempt. For example, if you test on the 1st of the month, the earliest retake date is the 29th.
What happens if I arrive late?+
At a test center you must report at least 30 minutes early. If you arrive after your scheduled testing time you are not allowed to test and you forfeit your fee.
Can I cancel my score?+
On tests that show an unofficial score, you can choose to cancel before you view it. Once viewed, it cannot be canceled, and a canceled score is not refunded or reinstated.
Ready to practice for Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (5354)?
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Start Practice Free →Sources: Official Praxis Study Companion for test 5354 (PDF); Praxis passing scores by state; Praxis fees and waivers; How to register for Praxis; Getting your Praxis scores. Always confirm current requirements, fees and passing scores with the official program before you register.
ApexTeachersPrep is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Educational Testing Service (ETS). Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
About the Authors
Written by
Craig John
Content Development Lead, M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction, B.S. in Mathematics Education
Steve John, bringing over ten years of experience in SEO content strategy, educational content development, and exam preparation. He specializes in creating clear, comprehensive, and search-optimized learning resources that help candidates prepare for certification and teacher licensure exams, including Praxis, GACE, and other educator assessments.
Reviewed by
Sarah Mitchell
Exam Strategy & Praxis Core Specialist, M.A. Literacy Education, B.S. Elementary Education
Sarah Mitchell brings 15 years of experience in literacy education and exam preparation. As a former literacy coach and Praxis Core specialist, she has helped over 1,000 candidates master the Reading, Writing, and Mathematics domains. Her expertise in test-taking strategies and comprehensive exam analysis makes her an invaluable resource for any educator.